December is a busy and exciting time! Especially for little ones.  We had a fun day with Millie Janalee's little class taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas at our local mall.  The children did some shopping for the moms at Bath and Body Works, and they were so excited!

We all rode the carousel...

We visited with Santa.  We weren't allowed to take pictures ourselves for some reason, but they did allow the teacher to take pictures on her phone.  She sent us what she had.  Smith and Susu came with us for this field trip, and Smith even got to visit with Santa.  Although he wasn't real sure about it.

We all had a yummy lunch in the food court at Chik Fil A.  It made me giggle to watch the little ones in action.  At one point, I looked over and saw a little group of big red bows gathered in a giggly group.  I had to take a picture!

After lunch, we all walked down to Barnes and Noble for a little story time.  Watching the teachers (and parents) attempt to get 30 three year olds organized and sitting still for story time was quite funny.

One of Millie Janalee's little friends had his grandmother with us for the field trip.  Mrs. Bullard was also my first grade teacher.  So when Millie Janalee's teacher asked her to read to the children, it brought back some memories!  Ha!

Trying to pry Millie Janalee out of the bookstore to leave the mall was a whole other challenge!  She had a great time, and I always enjoy stepping into her little world and watching her interact with her friends.  They are just so funny at this age!

Lots to see, hear, and smell during our field trip to the mall!

First Book of Christmas

One of our favorite Christmas traditions we started after Millie Janalee was born is our 25 Books of Christmas.  Each year, I wrap up 25 Christmas books and keep them in a basket.  They are the same books every year, unless they get a new book as a gift or something.  This year we kept them under the tree.  Each night leading up to Christmas, the kids open one gift and we read the book together.  It is a sweet time.  This year we found out it is also a great lesson to teach a 3.5 year old that one gift is plenty to be thankful for. Ha!

Each year we always have gifts left unopened due to crazy holiday schedules and late nights out or traveling.  But as many nights as we are home and able, we open a book and Russ reads to the children.  They love it!  Smith was very into it!  He rarely sits still long enough to read a book, but he was interested for the most part.  And it is so sweet to watch their excitement.

Russ was also pretty excited about it each night.  When he worked nights, he would get ready early and ask me to have the kids in their pajamas and ready to read by 7:30 so he could read a book to them before he left.

I was pretty much a bystander.  And that's okay.  I loved my view...

Growing up, I have the most precious memories of Christmas traditions.  Many I still go home to enjoy.  It is very important to us to create a season of memories that our children smile back on.  And that bring them back home when they are older!  Most importantly, it is a time when we catch ourselves just being more intentional about spending time together.  And I soak it in every year.

Yes, Christmas is crazy.  This year was as busy as we have ever been during the holidays.  It was also our first Christmas AT HOME!  We didn't have lots of traveling and packing to do.  It felt good to exhale and enjoy our new life.  In our home.  With our family of four.

What traditions do you have at Christmastime?